12+Sansom

Urban development is a delicate balancing act, and sometimes we must say goodbye to cherished local destinations in order to make way for a plan that is ultimately more beneficial to the community and to the city at large. One of such trade-offs is slated to occur at 7619 Germantown Avenue in Mount Airy, Northwest Philadelphia, where the Trolley Car Diner is set to meet the wrecking ball, to be replaced by a six-story, mixed-use residential development designed by Morrissey Design. Although the charming chrome, neon, mural, and freestanding trolley of the diner will be missed, the proposal at hand makes for more effective use of the site, bringing significant residential density within a two0-block walk of the Mount Airy Station of the SEPTA Regional Rail and replacing the auto-centric restaurant with pedestrian-friendly retail.

Permits have been issued for the mixed-use renovation and expansion at 2121 East Allegheny Avenue in Harrowgate. The existing two-story structure will be retrofitted to contain residential and commercial/industrial space, while a three-story addition will hold additional residential space. Designed by Woodcock Design, the building will hold 68 residential units. Zoning permits indicate that there will be 22 parking spaces included with the project.